Improving Time to First Feeding for Preterm Infants: A Quality Improvement Approach.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Early initiation of enteral feeding is reported to reduce sepsis and mortality in preterm infants. Less than half of stable infants born <35 weeks gestational age with birth weight <2,000 g are fed within 24 hours of birth at our center.

Methods

The Specific, measureable, achievable, relevant, timely aim of this quality improvement project was to increase the initiation of enteral feeding within 24 hours of birth from 49% (baseline) to 75% among infants born <35 weeks gestational age with birth weight <2,000 g between November 2022 and December 2023. We identified the unavailability of a mother's own milk as a major barrier to early feeding initiation. Project interventions included antenatal lactation consultation, patient-dedicated breast pumps, standardized f

SUBMITTER: May MF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11841844 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar-Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature